The
highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the snakeboat races that
are held at Kottayam, Aranmula and Payidpad in the backwaters, competing
for the coveted Nehru Cup. The tourism authorities of the state
have introduced a number of tourist festivals that combine the pageantry
of traditional celebrations with activity and excitement that modern-day
travellers can participate in. These include the great Elephant
March in January, in which as many as one hundred caparisoned elephants
are used to ferry tourists to major places in the state while Kerala
displays its cultural and culinary possibilities.

The
winter months from October through March celebrate Nishagandhi,
a dance and music pageant that is staged every Saturday. No matter
what time of year they travel to Kerala, tourists should also celebrate
life in the unique Kerala way. There are Kathakali performances
to watch, a dance drama based on the ancient epics forming among
the most colorful of the country's stage traditions. Male actors
in make-up that takes as much as two to three hours to apply cavort
on the stage in a spellbinding display of morality-theater.

The
women come to the stage with their own, more graceful dance form,
the Mohiniattam. It would also be interesting to watch a kalaripayattu
performance, this display of martial arts originated in the temples
of Kerala, and marks the most ancient form of defense in the world,
in which the body is trained in agility and elegance. Finally, no
visit to Kerala would be complete without its famous Ayurvedic massages,
in which herbs and oils are used to rejuvenate body and skin in
a refreshing exercise.

Sri
Padmanabhaswamy Temple With it's magnificent
tower rising in seven stories against the reflecting pool in front
of the temple, is a fine specimen of Indian architecture.Only Hindus
are permitted inside the temple provided they conform to dress regulations
of the temple devasthanam.